Stonewall's Gold : A Novel of the Civil War

Rating:
Summary: A compelling story for all ages
Review: This is a fast-paced adventure story that should appeal to a wide range of readers (teenagers and adults, males and females, Civil War buffs and not). Mrazek does a terrific job of weaving fact and fiction to the point the story reads as much like fascinating history as a novel. Apart from the adventure story, Mrazek provides a vivid description of life for the families away from the front in the final months of the war. While it is true that it lacks the literary skill of Cold Mountain (as do almost all novels), it offers a similarily compelling story set during the same time. Yet, for a first-time author, and one who became an author in the middle of his career, the writing is quite good. For those of us familiar with Mrazek's distinguished congressional career (from fighting to preserve Civil War battlefields to protecting endangered lands in Alaska), it is clear that Congress' loss is the gain of readers everywhere. I eagerly await his next book.